November 1, 2021
By Paul Bartelt
International Press Association
Newport Beach, Ca. The 22nd Annual Newport Beach Film Festival screened over 300 films from 50 countries last week featuring unprecedented adversity. In addition to over 100 feature films being showcased from around the globe, the Festival also entertained moviegoers with short films and collegiate movies. Films were shown at five Orange County theaters located in Newport Beach, Corona Del Mar, Costa Mesa and Santa Ana. Over 50,000 movie fans attended the week long Festival.
The sold out opening night movie at Edwards Big Newport Theater featured” Never Catch Pigeons”, a documentary on the life of Paul Van Doren who started Vans tennis shoes based in Orange County. The movie featured Van Doren, who passed away in May, and included family members and professional skateboard legends that wore Vans shoes in competition and on a daily basis.
The Newport Film Festival will return to Orange County next year in the fall of 2022.